MotoGP Feature - John Hopkins On Living On The Edge
18/06/2006
Suzuki rider John Hopkins (above) is on his second season with Bridgestone and, combined with significant improvements to the GSV-R machine, is enjoying the effect.
Three times on the front row, his career best result was fourth in China. His championship position on the eve of the Catalunyan GP, round seven, was only 13th.
We spoke to John on the evening before the race, where he had qualified second. He was full of optimism that he would soon secure his first pole position, and his first top-three podium finish. It was the tyres he singled out as the biggest improvement.
“Bridgestone have really been going in leaps and bounds from last year,” he began.
“They keep getting better race by race. This was also our plan at Suzuki – to try to take control of our own situation, and then keep improving. It’ll be a difficult race tomorrow. I did a 15-lap run this morning, and the lap times were there, but they dropped off a little at the end. But last year I had to pull in to change a tyre, so there’s just no comparison.
“Tyre-wise, the edge grip has improved tremendously.” This suits his style, with very high lean angles … he has been scraping his elbow regularly this year. “And the durability is a lot better too,” said Hopkins.
The Suzuki bike has improved very significantly this year, with a completely redesign V4 motor.
“I do still have to over-ride the bike, because of the lack of acceleration. But it’s much better, and I’ve been able to refine my style. Now I can pick the bike up on the corner exit and slide the rear, as is normal for a MotoGP bike. Previously, I had to carry so much mid-corner speed that it would wear the tyres out after a few laps,” he explained.
“I’m still riding right on the edge, but at least I’m getting some rewards now.”
The most disappointing race so far this year was at Qatar, where the team suffered mechanical failures, including an engine related problem in the race. “We really didn’t expect that many problems. Suzuki have sure turned that around since, though,” he said.
“Position-wise, my best race this year would have to be China. I rode hard, and I felt like I deserved it. At Le Mans I was feeling good, and I was trying to stick with the lead group and keep clear of anyone behind me … but I was over-riding a bit, and I paid the price.” (He fell, remounting for 15th.)
“For the year ahead, I’m looking forward to all of them, but especially Donington Park and Laguna Seca, for the British and US GPs. I enjoy them both, and I’m expecting big things, especially at Donington Park.” (Hopkins, born in England but raised in America, lives near the British track during the season, and in California for the rest of the year.)
“They’re both tracks that don’t punish you if you lack horsepower. You just have to keep hitting your mark.”